Question from Ronda
Hi Debra –
What should I look for when purchasing interior doors? One door for the garage will be solid, but the other interior doors all will be hollow. I’m nervous that I might get some MDF type door.
Thanks for all of your help!
Debra’s Answer
There’s an interesting page at http://www.craftmasterdoors.com that shows how hollow core, semi-sold core, and solid core doors are constructed and what they are typically made of: MDF, particleboard, PVC, styrofoam…some interior doors are now 100% PVC.
Though they will cost more, I suggest you get solid wood doors, not “solid core”, but solid wood. Search on “solid wood interior doors” for companies. And get them unfinished. This is the only way to not have all the chemicals that are in pressed wood products.
Also, visit your local salvage yard. They often have beautiful doors at a fraction of the cost purchased new.
If you can find a local woodworker they may be able to build them. Maybe a technical school nearby willing to help? Don’t know the cost in everyone’s area. They’re fairly easy to make. My husband white glued maple together for ours, made a frame for it and even decorated it with bamboo from our yard (in Hawaii). It’s extremely heavy. The ones in our pocket slides took 2 hands for me (I’m little), but well worth it. Since he passed I’ve encountered the same problems. I need to move again because this apartment is full of fake wood. Even though I paid people to seal every inch of it I’m still having problems. Ah, the life of an EI!
I really wish that more information was available here and with manufacturers. I have been checking out doors on and off for 6 months. I have searched and searched for information. I have spoken to door companies and door sellers. It is extremely difficult to make a decision for an affordable interior door. My criteria for my building products is firstly indoor air quality and secondly environmentally friendly. “Solid wood interior doors” sounds great but when you delve into the construction of the door you will find that most wood doors are not made of all wood. Wood stile and rail and then composite panel is common, composite with wood veneer is common. If asking for a new all wood door this is what you will get. Good luck!
I agree we need more information from manufacturers.